(left) The version of the Dashwood Band that was formed in the 1920’s. Back row (l. to r.) Jack Walper, Morgan Agnew, Mark Brokenshire, Ted Walper, Harry Hoffman, Hartman Elsie, Maurice Klumpp, Clayton Pfile, Garnet Wildfong. (front row) Reuben Goetz, Thomas Klumpp, Ted Harness, William Kleinstiver, Wesley Wolfe, Ferd Schroeder, Syd Baker. Click on image for larger version.

“The earliest band in Dashwood was known as the Coronation Band organized about Easter time 1902 with 11 members and only one member with any experience in band playing. Sometime previous, a blacksmith settled in the village named Wall, who played the coronet. Some of the citizens hearing him play, thought it would be nice to have a band in the village. They encouraged a number of interested young men to hold a meeting in the tailor shop owned by Mark Brokenshire. Mr. Wall consented to undertake the leadership, but instruments were needed, so he secured a catalogue and advised the members about the various instruments and drums that should be ordered. Each one agreed to pay for his own instrument as there were no finances.

The order was sent to the firm of Whaley Royce & Company, Toronto, and the parcels were sent c.o.d. to Exeter and the mail man Henry Hoffman brought them in. They were taken to the tailor shop upstairs in the northwest block. In the evening the boys gathered and watched as Mr. Wall tried out and handed each his instrument. The boys took the mouth pieces in their mouths and you can imagine their faces as they tried to play.

Practice started in earnest and in two month’s time the first concert was held on John Hall’s lawn, now the Earl Guenther residence. The first members were: leader, Edward Wall, coronet; Charles Eidt and Arthur Walper, also coronet; John Eidt, valve trombone; William Willert, alto; William Kleinstiver, first tenor; Dan McIsaac, second tenor; Herman Eidt, snare drum; Milton Goetz, baritone; Reuben Goetz, bass; Simpson Ireland, [bass] drum; Mark Brokenshire, alto. To acquire experience they played at a school picnic.

Their first engagement was at Centralia, July 1, 1902, at a garden party. The band broke up four years later when Edward Wall left the vicinity. Later, Ed. Seibert and Thomas Klumpp undertook to collect donations from the village merchants for the purpose of forming Dashwood’s new band. They were successful in collecting $80 which was deposited in the Farmer’s Bank located in the present residence of Lloyd Guenther. The bank failed and the funds were lost. Mr. Seibert conducted the band free of charge for two years. Clarence Kellerman used to drive the band in a covered sleigh. They played ten Saturday nights for $1 a night, at the Exeter arena for skating.

Ted Walper of Exeter was secured as leader in 1922. A new band was formed with no money for rent, music or leaders fees. The members were Wes Wolfe, Clayton Pfile, Mark Brokenshire, William Kleinstiver, Hartman Elsie, Reuben Goetz, Harry Hoffman, Alvin Walper, Norman Walper, Stuart Wolfe, Syd Baker, Maurice Klumpp, “Boots” (Howard) Klumpp, Ted Harness, Jack Walper, Louis Rinker, Garnet Wildfong, F. Atkins, Ferd Schroeder and Thomas Klumpp. It was financed for a bare minimum and in the fall they accepted engagements at fairs, strawberry socials, fowl suppers and ended up with a surplus of over $300. The band played 13 continuous years at the Ilderton Fair.

(left) Concert poster for a performance of “The Famous Dashwood Band” in 1927.

After 13 years, Mr. Walper received a very attractive offer to organize a band in Exeter. Jack Walper took over for a year or two. Fortunately in 1934 Rev. W.S. Henrick, minister at the Evangelical Church, now Calvary United stepped in and formed a band which on his death became known as Henrick Memorial Band under the leadership of Harry Hoffman. This was a mixed band of ladies and men numbering about 40. The band was later organized with Harry Hoffman as leader. In 1963 they played at the opening of the Community Centre, May 20. The band also played at the Centennial in 1967. In 1976 the Seaforth-Dashwood Band was organized with Dr. Toll of Seaforth Bandmaster and Harry Hoffman assistant.”

extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pgs. 76-77, ISBN 0-9692115-0-3

(below) Dashwood Band unknown era.